Misplaced Pages

Paryushana

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from Das Lakshana) Most important festivals for the Jains

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
(Learn how and when to remove this message)
Paryushan Parva
Also calledParyushan Parva
Observed byJains
Observancesfasting, going to the Jain Temple
DateAugust or September
Related toSamvatsari (Shwtemabar or Digamber)
Part of a series on
Jainism
Philosophy
EthicsEthics of Jainism
Mahavratas (major vows)
Anuvratas (further vows)
Jain prayers
Major figures
Major sectsSchools and Branches
Jain literature
Festivals
PilgrimagesTirth
Other

Paryushana is an annual holy event for Jains and is usually celebrated in August, September or October in Hindi calendar (Indian calendar) Bhadrapad Month's Shukla Paksha. Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity often using fasting and prayer/meditation to help. The five main vows are emphasized during this time. There are no set rules, and followers are encouraged to practice according to their ability and desires. The event lasts for 8 or 10 days, and ends with the celebration of Samvatsari (forgiveness day).

Meaning

Paryushana means "abiding and coming together". It is a time when the Jains take on vows of study and fasting.

Observances

The Digambara Jains recite the ten chapters of the Jain text, Tattvartha Sutra on ten days of Das Lakshan Parva. The sixth day of the festival is celebrated as Sugandh Dashami by the Digambar Community. Digambaras celebrate Ananta Chaturdashi on which a special worship is done. Many towns have a procession leading to the main Jain temple. Ananta Chaturdashi marks the day when Lord Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankar, attained Moksha (nirvana).

At the conclusion of the festival, followers request forgiveness from others for any offenses committed during the last year. Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to others, which means, "If I have offended you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought, word or action, then I seek your forgiveness."

During the eight-day festival, the Śvētāmbara Murtipujakas recite the Kalpa Sūtra, which includes a recitation of the section on the birth of Mahavira on the fifth day. Some Śvētāmbara Sthānakavāsīs recite the Antagada Sutra, which details the life of 90 great men and women who attained moksha during the eras of the 22nd Tirthankar Neminatha and 24th Tirthankar Mahavira.

Fasting

Main article: Fasting in Jainism

During Paryushana, Jains observe a fast. The span of the fast can last from a day to 30 days or even more. In both Digambara and Śvētāmbara, śrāvakas (laypersons) do a fast by having only boiled water which can be consumed between sunrise and sunset.

Requesting forgiveness

See also: Micchami Dukkadam and Kshamavani

At the conclusion of the festival, śrāvakas request each other for forgiveness for all offenses committed during the last year. This occurs on the Paryusha day for Śvētāmbaras and on the Prathama (first day) of the month of Ashvin Krashna for Digambaras. Forgiveness is asked by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other. It means "If I have caused you offence in any way, knowingly or unknowingly, in thought word or deed, then I seek your forgiveness".

Date

The date for the Paryushana festival is Bhadra shukla panchami. For this duration, Paryushana must be initiated by panchami (the fifth day) of the shukla paksha phase of Bhadra. The last day is called Samvatsari, short for Samvatsari Pratikramana. Because of computational and other differences, there can be some minor differences among various sects. It comes at the time when the wandering monks take up temporary residence for the monsoon period or "cāturmāsa" "four-month". Because at this time the monks have settled in the town for a longer duration, it is time for the householders to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and by meditation and vratas (self-control). Digambara Jains starting a 10-day period from Bhadra shukla panchami, during which the dashalakshana vrata is undertaken. Śvētāmbara celebrate an eight-day festival that ends with Bhadrapada shukla chaturthi.

It is believed that the devas (heavenly beings) do an eight-part puja (worship) of the tirthankaras, which takes eight days. Śvētāmbara Jains celebrate this period as Paryushana.

Closure

Slaughter houses are kept closed for 1–8 days during the Paryushana festival in Indian states (e.g. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra) that have a large Jain population. On 14 March 2008, the Supreme Court held that the ban on slaughter houses in Ahmedabad during Paryushan festival was legal. The court noted:

In a multi-cultural country like ours with such diversity, one should not be over sensitive and over touchy about a short restriction when it is being done out of respect for the sentiments of a particular section of society. It has been stated above that the great Emperor Akbar himself used to remain a vegetarian for a few days every week out of respect for the vegetarian section of the Indian society and out of respect for his Hindu wife. We too should have similar respect for the sentiments for others, even if they are a minority sect. (para 74)

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Katju, Justice Markandey (14 March 2008), Supreme Court Judgement regarding Closure of Slaughter houses during Paryushan, The Supreme Court of India
  2. Roy, Christian (2005), Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopedia, Volume 1, ABC-CLIO, p. 356, ISBN 1-57607-089-1
  3. ^ Dhanpal Jain (4 September 2008), "Paryushan Parva, festival of forgiveness", The Times of India
  4. "Jain festival of Paryushan finds many admirers", The Times of India, 1 September 2016
  5. ^ "Jains pray for peace, brotherhood", The Hindu, 13 September 2007, archived from the original on 7 November 2012
  6. ^ Doniger 1999, p. 555.
  7. Preeti Srivastav (31 August 2008). "Request for Forgiveness". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
  8. POKHAREL, KRISHNA (11 September 2015). "Why Mumbai Is Banning Meat This Weekend". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 September 2015.

Sources

External links

Jainism topics
Gods
Philosophy
Branches
Digambara
Śvetāmbara
Practices
Literature
Symbols
Ascetics
Scholars
Community
Jainism in
India
Overseas
Jainism and
Dynasties and empires
Related
Lists
Navboxes
icon Religion portal
Categories: